Calls for bill’s passage in state budget
New York: Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar brought together a citywide coalition calling for passage of her SMOKEOUT Act, which she authored, and which grants municipalities across the State, including New York City, the authority to immediately shutter all illegal, unlicensed smoke shops once and for all. The rally called upon Albany to include the full SMOKEOUT Act in the State’s enacted budget.
On the steps of City Hall, Assemblywoman Rajkumar rallied a diverse coalition calling for passage of the SMOKEOUT Act. Government, business, and nonprofit leaders from all Five Boroughs joined together. Many were immigrants hailing from around the world, ranging from the Dominican Republic to Bangladesh. Some were small business owners themselves. All were united in enthusiastic support of enacting Assemblywoman Rajkumar’s bill and shutting down all illegal smoke shops.
Assemblywoman Rajkumar rallied the crowd: “We are here to say what’s on every New Yorker's mind. We are here to say what every New Yorker wants, which is to shut down these illegal cannabis shops. We need to shut them down once and for all!”
She added, “This issue unites us across all boroughs and across all backgrounds. How can there be 1000 times more illegal smoke shops than legal ones? As New Yorkers, we all feel like we are high right now, because the situation makes no sense. But we can fix it, and we can fix it this year by passing my SMOKEOUT Act.”
She led the vociferous crowd in chants of “Shut them down!” and “Smoke ‘em out!”
Rajkumar also said she is working closely with Albany leadership including the Governor to include the SMOKEOUT language in the State Budget due April 1st. Mayor Eric Adams has said when the SMOKEOUT Act passes, he will be able to close all illegal smoke shops in New York City within 30 days.
Rajkumar explained, “My legislation gives New York City and municipalities across the State the authority to close illegal smoke shops, so that local law enforcement is finally empowered to stop the sale of unlicensed cannabis that is endangering our children and our neighborhoods. The people of New York City came together at my rally, and now it is time for us to come together in Albany so we can eliminate these epicenters of crime.”
Assemblywoman Rajkumar has gained overwhelming support for her SMOKEOUT Act. She now boasts the endorsements of the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Mayor Adams, New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda, and the Times Square Alliance.
State Senator Leroy Comrie, the bill’s Senate sponsor, spoke of his gratitude to carry the SMOKEOUT Act in his chamber, noting that illegal smoke shops are now the number one issue his constituents raise.
